Monthly Archives: September 2011

I was walking to dinner last night when it happened. The fragments of ideas from all the corners of my brain found their rallying point and surged into place. And I knew. Boom. Magic. I love it when inspiration shows up. Who … Continue reading →

“Your blog is so positive now.” She didn’t mean it as an insult, or even a compliment, really. She was just stating a fact, one I should have been glad to hear since I’ve made a conscious decision to focus … Continue reading →

This post was inspired, in part, by my partnership with our book sponsor. I have written a lot about being afraid. I don’t know if that’s because I have an inordinate amount of fears, or if overcoming fears is simply … Continue reading →

I was excited about coming to Pittsburgh, but I was nervous about coming to Becky’s house. Becky has always described herself as being “one box away from a hoarder.” Jared’s been watching Hoarders – those houses do not look like … Continue reading →

New York City. San Francisco. Pittsburgh. One of these things seems like it doesn’t belong, but they are all cities I have eagerly anticipated visiting during our year of travel. Yes, Pittsburgh. Becky, one of our favorite people, lives in … Continue reading →

I get asked often why I decided to take this trip, this year around my own country. There are many answers I give, depending on the time allotted and the perceived interest of the person asking. Once in a while, … Continue reading →

I did it. I said enough with this fear and procrastination crap, and I emailed out my first pitch letter to a major magazine. And then I went and spent $35 on magazines for the purpose of research and ordered a copy … Continue reading →

“Emma, these ferry tickets cost $150. No one pays $150 to die – we’ll be fine.” I played my own words back again in my head as I dug my fingernails deep into Jared’s forearm and swallowed hard in an … Continue reading →

I mentioned on Facebook this week wanting to send Emma to her non-existent room. My stepsister laughed at my pain virtually and said what most people say when I talk about someone in my traveling party driving me crazy: I can’t … Continue reading →